Album: Armed Forces (1979)

Charted: 28

License This Song 

• Oh I just don't know where to begin
  Though he says he'll wait forever
  It's now or never
  But she keeps him hanging on
  The silly champion
  She says she can't go home
  Without a chaperone
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  He used to be your victim
  Now you're not the only one
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  I don't want to hear it
  'Cause I know what I've done
  
  There's so many fish in the sea
  That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
  But they keep you hanging on
  They say you're so young
  Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  He used to be your victim
  Now you're not the only one
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  I don't want to hear it
  'Cause I know what I've done
  
  And it's the damage that we do
  And never know
  It's the words that we don't say
  That scare me so
  
  There's so many people to see
  So many people you can check up on
  And add to your collection
  But they keep you hanging on
  Until you're well hung
  Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  He used to be your victim
  Now you're not the only one
  
  Accidents will happen
  We only hit and run
  I don't want to hear it
  'Cause I know what I've
  I know what I've
  I know what I've done
  
  I know, I know, I know, I know
  I know, I know, I know, I know
  I know, I know, I know, I know
  I know, I know, I know, I know
  I know, I know, I know, I know
  I know, I know Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

• The Toner from Eugene, OrThe EP version was recorded live at Hollywood High School. It was included as a bonus with the LP when it was first released in 1979.
• Steve from Chino Hills, CaThis was from Elvis's third album, Armed Forces. To really get this song you first have to read the lyrics (see the link above). Armed Forces is one of those albums that best listened to all the way through. The songs all build on each other. ' Accidents will happen' sets the pace for the album, just like "Welcome to the working week" sets up "My Aim is True" and "No Action" sets up "This year's model." Somewhere in the song he puts the lines
  
  "And it's the damage that we do
  And never know
  Its the words that we don't say
  That scare me so"
  
  So profound, and to think, this is only the first song of the album! Armed Forces is a journey that is led out by Nick Lowe's "What's so funny bout Peace Love and Understanding?" Armed Forces is a work of art!
• Marlene from Montreal, QcThere was an EP released of this song where Elvis played it live, just with piano, recorded in England (probably at some club)... It was only available on import and was never released here but I heard it when an english friend played it for me.
• Ted from Phoenix, AzIn 1979 Phoenix, this was one of the few so-called "New Wave" songs to get a lot of airplay on the local album-oriented rock station. It's a great song with great lyrics and less-than-stellar but soulful vocals, but I still don't know from the lyrics what the accident being sung about was.

More Songfacts:

She BangsRicky Martin

The Ricky Martin song "She Bangs" found new life when William Hung performed it so horribly on a 2004 episode of American Idol that it went viral.

Beautiful LoserBob Seger

Bob Seger's song "Beautiful Loser" was inspired by book Leonard Cohen published in 1966 called Beautiful Losers.

Rock of AgesDef Leppard

The "Gunter Glieben Glauten Globen" intro in Def Leppard's "Rock Of Ages" is something their producer Mutt Lange came up with when he got tired of counting them "1, 2, 3, 4..."

RocketDef Leppard

The line "satellite of love" in the Def Leppard song "Rocket" came from the title of a 1972 Lou Reed song.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)Sly & the Family Stone

Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" was a huge hit in 1970 and found new life when Janet Jackson sampled the bass riff on her 1989 hit "Rhythm Nation."

Dancing QueenABBA

ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson conceived "Dancing Queen" as a dance song with the working title "Boogaloo," drawing inspiration from the 1974 George McCrae disco hit "Rock Your Baby." Their manager Stig Anderson came up with the title "Dancing Queen."

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.